An interdisciplinary approach to fundamental and applied research in the areas of behavior, ecology, evolution, systematics, and related disciplines utilizing our strong links to the Smithsonian Institution and other federal research organizations in the metro DC area.

Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, and Genomics (CBBG)

Specialized multi-disciplinary training and research opportunities in different aspects of computational biology and genomics that prepares students for scholarship and leadership in the field. Challenges in computational biology and genomics range from understanding sequence data to the analysis of protein structure and protein-protein interactions, prediction and high-throughput assessment of biological function and the study of gene networks.

Molecular & Cellular Biology (MOCB)

Multi-disciplinary training and research opportunities in the broad areas of cell and molecular biology, virology, host-pathogen interactions, plant systems, microbiology, and related disciplines supported by faculty from six departments at the University of Maryland, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and several institutes of the National Institutes of Health.

Physiological Systems (PSYS)

Dedicated to understanding the function of biological processes at the physical, mechanistic, and systems levels. We are training the next generation of research scientists in a physiological and systems perspective towards tackling fundamental problems of biological systems, using multidisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge technologies.

The Biological Sciences Graduate Program (BISI) offers outstanding opportunities for research and discovery within and across contemporary disciplines. Faculty mentors help students investigate exciting questions, in directions driven by each student’s interests and curiosity. Enthusiastic and interactive colleagues, agile minds, and cutting-edge technologies work together to advance and apply science. The goal of the Biological Sciences Program is to enable students to obtain the best training in their intended research areas, to work closely with outstanding faculty, and to prepare for successful futures contributing to innovative advances and effective teaching in the life sciences.

University of Maryland offers strong collaborations and enriched opportunities for research with distinguished institutions.

In addition to being a vibrant hub of science, medicine, biotech, and environmental research and policy, the D.C. area’s rich and diverse culture make it an especially lively, friendly, accessible community for students to thrive professionally and personally. The campus is “inside the beltway,” situated a swift 20 minutes (by convenient Metro ride from College Park) from the heart of the nation’s capital.

Concentration Areas

Each student is part of, and advised though, one of the interdisciplinary concentration areas:

Mona Orr (MOCB, Lee Lab) was presented with the best poster award at the International Symposium on c-di-GMP Signaling in Bacteria conference.

Noor White (BEES, Braun/Mitter Lab) was awarded the Ernest Mayr Award, which is given to the presenter of the outstanding student talk in the field of systematics at the annual meetings of the Society of Systematic Biologists.

Noor White (BEES, Braun/Mitter Labs) and Carly Muletz (BEES, Lips Lab) have advanced to the second round in the UMD 3MT Thesis competition.

Dr. Antony Jose and students Sinduja Ravanapally and Snusha Ravikumar featured in CMNS News.

BISI Merit Award Recipients

The Biological Sciences Graduate Program is proud to announce this year's Merit Award winners. The Merit Award provides recognition and encouragement to students that perform unusually well in graduate school. The award comes with a $2000 honorarium.

Vasudevan Achuthan (DeStefano Lab)

Alyssa Stewart (Dudash Lab)

Grace DiRenzo (Lips Lab)

Jessica Goodheart (Cummings/Collins Lab)

Cora Johnston (Gruner Lab)

Matt Conte (Kocher Lab)

Copyright 2014 Biological Sciences Graduate Program - College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural SciencesUniversity of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742